Method and System for Creating Personalized Human Hair Extensions Using Hair Color

ABSTRACT

A system and method for creating personalized human hair extensions from a weft of human hair, saturated with heat protectant and ironed into a generally smooth, continuous surface for applying a desired design using hair color.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/386,164, filed Sep. 24, 2010.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to hair ornamentation, and more specifically to a system and method for personalizing human hair extensions using hair color.

BACKGROUND ART

U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/386,164, filed Sep. 24, 2010 is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

Hair extensions are commonly used to create an appearance of increased length or volume of one's own hair. In these instances one's hair color is carefully matched, and the extensions are skillfully attached so as to present a natural appearance. While synthetic hair extensions are available, human hair extensions are typically more desirable because of the more natural appearance and the ability to color and style using heat. In recent years, it has become popular to add one or more distinctively colored hair extensions as accents to a hair style and to express one's individuality. Most of the colorful hair extensions are limited to a solid color, or a striped pattern of a few colors. Attempts to create more intricate designs in hair extensions, such as those which could be created by applying various colors with a small brush, have been largely unsuccessful because the individual strands of hair separate as the color is applied, resulting in unrecognizable designs and color bleeding.

Accordingly, what is sought is a system and method for creating personalized human hair extensions and a kit including the supplies required to practice the method, which overcomes at least one of the problems, shortcomings or disadvantages set forth above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

What is disclosed is a system and method for creating personalized human hair extensions using color and a kit including the supplies required to practice the method, which overcomes at least one of the problems, shortcomings or disadvantages set forth above.

According to a preferred method of the invention, a hair piece of a desired width is selected and the hair portion is saturated with a thermal protectant of the type used to protect human hair from damage during use of a heat styling appliance. The thermal protectant is preferably sprayed on the hair and distributed evenly by combing the hair until it is saturated. A flat iron is then repeatedly run along the length of the hair as if the hair was being straightened. The hair, saturated with the thermal protectant, is heated and compressed by the flat iron causing the hydrogen bonds inside hair to break and reform while the individual hairs align in the direction of movement of the flat iron. As a result, the hair is pressed into a generally solid surface with some flexibility which can be likened to paper or ribbon. The solid surface provides a “canvas” on which the artwork for a personalized design is created.

According to a preferred aspect of the method, the flat ironed hair piece is displayed for a client together with an artist's palate including various shades of deposit only hair color.

According to a preferred feature of the method, custom shades can be created for the client by mixing two hair colors. Brighter colors can become pastels when mixed an appropriate amount of conditioner.

The artwork of the personalized design is then applied to the surface of the hair piece using a suitable applicator, such as a paint brush, make-up brush, or the like. The artwork can be done free hand or a stencil may be used.

According to another preferred aspect of the method, the hair piece is carefully turned over to expose the reverse side. To ensure thorough saturation of the hair, the mirror image of the artwork of the personalized design is then applied to the reverse side of the hair.

According to another preferred feature of the invention, the hair piece may be placed on or wrapped in foil or other suitable material used in color processing to help turn over or reposition the hair piece without disrupting the artwork on the front and back surfaces.

Once the personalized design is complete, the hair color is allowed to process according to the hair color directions. After processing, the personalized hair piece or extension is then ready to be attached to the client's hair.

The personalized hair extensions can be washed, brushed or combed, heat styled and will remain in the client's hair until removed. In addition, the hair extensions can be cut and/or repositioned as the client's hair grows. Also, the hair extensions can be reused if the client desires a different design.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, a kit including the apparatus used for practicing the method of the invention is provided.

Advantages of the present invention include, but are not limited to, creating a personalized experience for the client by creating a custom hair extension based on the client's specification with real time client input. The client maintains the ability to wash, dry and style the personalized extensions along with the client's natural hair and the ability to cut or reposition the extension as the client's hair grows. In addition, the hair extension is reusable because it can be bleached and new artwork applied if the client desires a new design.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a weft of hair for use with a preferred embodiment of a method of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an extent of the weft of hair, a spray on heat protection formulation, and a flat iron for straightening human hair;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the extent of hair prepared for applying color;

FIG. 4A is a finished hair extension created by the method the invention;

FIG. 4B is another finished hair extension created by the method the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a representative kit including the supplies required to practice the method of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 depicts a weft of human hair 20 of the type commonly used for increasing the apparent length and/or volume of one's hair. Weft 20 preferably includes a quantity of blonde human hair 22 sewn or tied together at a binding 24 to create a curtain of hair having a free end 26. Weft 20 can be cut at binding 24 to create a hair extension or hair piece 28 of a desired width, denoted by W. It should be understood that weft 20 is representative of a variety of commercially available artificial hair products, but it is contemplated that the invention can likewise be used with human hair of various lengths and various color shades that is unbound or bound by various known techniques.

According to a preferred method of the present invention, hair 22 of hair piece 28 is saturated with a thermal protectant 32 of the type used to protect human hair from damage during use of a heat styling appliance such as a blow dryer, a curling iron, or a flat iron 34 as shown in FIG. 2. Thermal protectant 32 is preferably sprayed on hair 22 and distributed evenly by combing hair 22, repeating the process until hair 22 is saturated. Heated plates 36 of flat iron 34 are then repeatedly run along hair 22 from binding 24 towards free end 26 as indicated by arrow A. As hair 22, saturated with thermal protectant 32, is heated and compressed by heated plates 36, hydrogen bonds inside hair 22 are broken and reformed and the individual hairs align in direction A. As a result, hair 22 is pressed into a generally solid or continuous surface 36, which can be envisioned as similar in many ways to paper or ribbon, as shown in FIG. 3. Surface 36 provides a “canvas” on which a personalized design is created.

According to a preferred aspect of the method, prepared hair piece 28 is displayed for a client together with an artist's palate 38 including various shades of deposit only hair color.

According to a preferred feature of the method, custom shades can be created for the client by mixing two hair colors or pastels can be created by mixing the hair color with conditioner. Any leftover custom color can be sent home with the client for touch-ups or to creating matching pieces in the future.

The personalized design is then applied to surface 36 of hair piece 28 using a suitable applicator, such as a paint brush 42, make-up brush 44, or the like. The design can be free hand artwork or stenciled designs.

According to another preferred aspect of the method, hair piece 28 is carefully turned over onto surface 36 to expose a surface 46 opposite surface 36. To ensure thorough saturation of hair 22, the mirror image of the personalized design is then applied to surface 46.

According to another preferred feature of the invention, hair piece 28 may be placed on or wrapped in foil or other suitable material used in color processing to help turn over or reposition hair piece 28 without disrupting the design on surfaces 36 and 46.

Once the personalized design is complete, the hair color is allowed to process by wrapping hair piece 28 in foil, applying heat according to the hair color directions, rinsing with cool water, and drying in the well known manner. It should be noted that it is contemplated that the method of the invention can be practiced with various hair color formulations according to the processing instructions associated therewith.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show two representative personalized hair extensions 48 and 50 created according to the method described herein. Hair extensions 48 and 50 are then attached to the client's hair in the well known manner, some non-limiting examples including combs, clips, pins, adhesive strips, keratin glue, braiding, weaving, sewing, and the like.

Hair extensions 48, and 50 can be washed, brushed or combed, and heat styled and will remain in the client's hair until removed. In addition, hair extensions 48, and 50 can be cut and/or repositioned as the client's hair grows. Also, hair extensions 48, and 50 can be reused if the client desires new or different artwork.

FIG. 5 depicts a preferred embodiment of a kit 60 including apparatus that may be used for practicing the method for personalizing human hair extensions of the present invention. Kit 60 may include, but is not limited to, a suitable container, such as a bag 62, at least one, but preferably several deposit only hair color options 64, an artist's palate 66, covered containers for creating customized colors (not shown), a foil comb 68, foil (not shown), a weft of hair 70, a flat iron 72, a device for attaching the extension, such as a keratin glue applicator 74, a thermal protectant 78, a hair conditioner 80, a scissors 82, applicators for creating the personalized design, such as a stencil 84, and brushes 86, gloves (not shown) and a heat source, such as a heat lamp 88. It is contemplated that alternate combinations of apparatus can be created that would appeal to various clientele, and they combinations are still within the scope of the invention. For example, another embodiment of a kit may exclude styling tools and only include consumable products, for example, hair color 64, thermal protectant 78, conditioner 80, and a weft of hair 70.

Advantages of the present invention include, but are not limited to, creating a personalized experience for the client by creating a custom hair extension based on the client's specification with real time client input. The client maintains the ability to wash, dry and style the personalized extensions along with the client's natural hair and the ability to cut or reposition the extension as the client's hair grows. In addition, the hair extension is reusable because it can be bleached and new artwork applied if the client desires a new design.

In light of all the foregoing, it should thus be apparent to those skilled in the art that there has been shown and described a method and system for creating personalized human hair extensions using hair color. However, it should also be apparent that, within the principles and scope of the invention, many changes are possible and contemplated, including in the details, materials, and arrangements of parts which have been described and illustrated to explain the nature of the invention. Thus, while the foregoing description and discussion addresses certain preferred embodiments or elements of the invention, it should further be understood that concepts of the invention, as based upon the foregoing description and discussion, may be readily incorporated into or employed in other embodiments and constructions without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are intended to protect the invention broadly as well as in the specific form shown, and all changes, modifications, variations, and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention, which is limited only by the claims which follow. 

1. A method for creating a personalized human hair extension for a client comprising the steps of: separating a hair piece of a desired width from a weft of human hair, the hair piece including an attached end and a length of hair extending therefrom to a free end; saturating the length of hair with a thermal protectant; ironing the length of hair with at least one heated plate in a direction from the attached end of the hair piece along the length of hair toward the free end, such that individual hairs of the length of hair align and form a generally smooth, continuous surface; applying at least one shade of hair color to the surface in a desired design; and processing the hair color as directed for human hair applications.
 2. A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the length of hair is pressed between heated plates of a flat iron.
 3. A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein heat breaks down hydrogen bonds of the individual hairs, ironing aligns the hairs in the direction from the attached end to the free end, and after removal of heat, the hydrogen bonds of the individual hairs reform as the generally smooth, continuous surface.
 4. A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein saturating the hair piece includes spraying the thermal protectant on the hair and combing the hair to distribute the protectant along the length of hair until saturated.
 5. A method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising the step of applying the desired design on a rear surface of the length of hair.
 6. A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the step of applying the desired design includes displaying the at least one shade of hair color and the hair piece for the client while applying the desired design to the surface with at least one of a brush, a foam applicator, a marker, a stencil or by hand.
 7. A method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising placing the hair piece on a piece of foil for improving heat conduction, handling the hair piece while applying the desired design and wrapping the hair piece during processing.
 8. A method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising the step of affixing the hair piece including the desired design to the hair of the client.
 9. A system for creating a personalized human hair extension, comprising: a container for storing, displaying, or selling at least some of: a weft of human hair from which a desired width is separated; thermal protectant for saturating the width of hair; a flat iron including heated plates operable for heating and pressing the width of hair therebetween in a single direction therealong for straightening and aligning the hair in a generally smooth, continuous surface; an artist palate for displaying and mixing at least one shade of hair color; at least one coverable container for storing unused hair color; at least one applicator for applying a desired design to at least a front side of the generally smooth, continuous surface of hair; a heat source operable for processing the hair color as directed for human hair applications; and an applicator for affixing the hair piece including the desired design to the hair of the client.
 10. A system as set forth in claim 9, further comprising at least two shades of hair color for combining to create an additional, custom shade of color.
 11. A system as set forth in claim 9, wherein heat breaks down hydrogen bonds of the hairs, pressing in the single direction aligns the hair in the direction, and after removal of heat, the hydrogen bonds of the hair reform as the generally smooth, continuous surface.
 12. A system as set forth in claim 9, wherein thermal protectant is applied to the width of hair and the hair is combed the hair to distribute the protectant therealong.
 13. A system as set forth in claim 9, wherein the desired design is applied to a rear side of the generally smooth, continuous surface of hair.
 14. A system as set forth in claim 9, wherein the artist palate, the at least one shade of hair color and the hair piece are displayed for the client while applying the desired design to the surface with at least one of a brush, a foam applicator, a marker, a stencil or by hand.
 15. A system as set forth in claim 9, further comprising foil for improving heat conduction, handling the hair piece while applying the desired design and wrapping the hair piece during processing.
 16. A system as set forth in claim 9, further comprising a consumables kit including at least some of hair color, thermal protectant, conditioner, and a weft of hair.
 17. A kit for creating personalized human hair extensions for a client, comprising a weft of human hair from which a hair piece is separated, an artist palate for mixing and displaying various shades of hair color, applicators for applying the desired design to the hair, thermal protectant for saturating the hair piece, and a container for storing, displaying, or selling the kit.
 18. A kit as set forth in claim 17 further including shades of hair color.
 19. A kit as set forth in claim 18 further including foil, glue for affixing the hair piece in hair of the client. 